The EPA budget just passed by the Senate contains the equivalent of a gag
order that could effectively silence EPA's efforts to inform the public
about pending congressional actions affecting health and the environment.
The bill prohibits "any activity or the publication or distribution of any
literature" that could be construed as publicly speaking to the merits,
pro or con, of "any legislative proposal on which congressional action is
not complete." In addition, any recipient of an EPA grant - such as
states and environmental groups -- could be subject to the same
restrictions.

The bill also contains report language seemingly designed to
facilitate legal challenges by the auto and petroleum industries
against EPA's proposals for the toughest tailpipe standards ever for new
cars and SUV's and for cleaner fuels.

The Senate cut $196 million from programs which form the backbone of
national environmental efforts. These cuts seriously imperil the
enforcement of our laws, the protection of America's drinking water, the
clearing of our air, the protection of our rivers and lakes, and direct
assistance to states for implementing crucial local programs. The Senate
also provided "earmarks" for at least $197 million in special "home"
projects that funnel money away from national programs that benefit all
Americans. In addition to cutting Superfund by $100 million, the bill
finances half of the Superfund cleanup program from general tax revenue.
This violates the long-held principle of "polluter pays" and forces
taxpayers to pick up the tab for toxic- waste cleanups instead of the
responsible industrial polluters. And the President's Clean Air
Partnership, which would make money available to individual communities to
help them solve their local air pollution problems, would be completely
zeroed out.

We still hope to work together with Congress for a final bill
that ensures that the public health and environment of the American
people will be protected as we enter the 21st Century.